Step 6.5: The Job You Want Won’t Be Posted
Here's the cold reality about job postings: They're often legal checkboxes, not actual opportunities.
The real timeline behind job postings: Need identified and internal candidate identified → Role created around them → Post position publicly → Wait required time → Hire internal candidate
Many companies are required by law or policy to post positions publicly. Sometimes it's because they're government contractors. Sometimes it's internal policies for fairness and compliance. Sometimes it's state laws requiring transparency. But rarely is it because they're starting a true external search from scratch.
Think about it: By the time a job is posted, the company has often already identified their preferred candidate. The role might be earmarked for an internal move. The position could already be filled. They might just be collecting resumes for future needs. Or worst of all, they might be going through the motions to show they "tried" to hire diverse candidates.
The market reality is that the real hiring happens through internal promotions, employee referrals, network connections, direct recruiting, and known candidates. This is why "spray and pray" applications fail. The real opportunities are rarely in the public postings.
Your Playbook:
Remember: The best jobs are rarely posted. And when they are, they're often already filled.
Your move: Stop applying to postings. Start building relationships.
Don't wait for postings. Build relationships before roles exist.
Be known before you're needed. Create opportunities rather than chase them.
The market rewards those who understand the game behind the game. Because by the time you see that "exciting new opportunity" online, you're probably already too late.